Daniel 1
Lutheran reading notes
In Daniel chapter 1, the prophetic message continues to reveal themes of faithfulness in exile and visions of God's ultimate kingdom. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes the contrast between divine law, which exposes sin, and the promise of grace through God's future redemption. The chapter illustrates both warning and hope within God's covenant relationship.
1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Daniel 1:1 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
Daniel 1:2 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring {certain} of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Daniel 1:3 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Children in whom {was} no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as {had} ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Daniel 1:4 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. {the wine...: Heb. the wine of his drink}
Daniel 1:5 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Daniel 1:6 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel {the name} of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
Daniel 1:7 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel 1:8 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Daniel 1:9 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which {are} of your sort? then shall ye make {me} endanger my head to the king. {worse...: Heb. sadder} {sort: or, term, or, continuance?}
Daniel 1:10 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, {Melzar: or, the steward}
Daniel 1:11 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. {pulse: Heb. of pulse} {to eat...: Heb. that we may eat, etc}
Daniel 1:12 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
Daniel 1:13 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
Daniel 1:14 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
Daniel 1:15 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Daniel 1:16 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. {Daniel...: or, he made Daniel understand}
Daniel 1:17 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 1:18 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
Daniel 1:19 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
And in all matters of wisdom {and} understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians {and} astrologers that {were} in all his realm. {wisdom...: Heb. wisdom of understanding}
Daniel 1:20 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
And Daniel continued {even} unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Daniel 1:21 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.